After two years of preparation, challenges, and collaboration, Cebu Normal University (CNU) officially inaugurated its Argao Extension Campus this afternoon, bringing the university’s commitment to quality and accessible higher education closer to students in southern Cebu.
Located in Sitio Candabong, Barangay Jampang, Argao, the campus is one of three new CNU extension campuses established across the province. The other two are located in Alegria in southwestern Cebu and Catmon in northern Cebu.
The inauguration marks more than the opening of a new campus. For CNU, it represents a concrete step toward making quality higher education more accessible to Filipino students, regardless of where they live.
The Argao Extension Campus currently has 24 students—13 enrolled in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program and 11 in the Bachelor of Special Needs Education (BSNEd). Both programs have been approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
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For pioneering BSNEd student and Argao Campus Supreme Student Council President Sunshine Artiaga, studying at CNU in her hometown is both an opportunity and a privilege.
“Dako nga opportunity and privilege namo to study in CNU. The programs offered here are in demand and gamit kaayo. Thankful kaayo mi kay ka-experience mi og quality education,” Artiaga said.
CNU President Dr. Laurence Garcia described the establishment of the three extension campuses as a historic milestone for the 124-year-old university.
For CNU, Garcia said, the mission goes beyond establishing campuses. He said it is about bringing the same culture of excellence, service, and quality education to every community the university reaches.
He emphasized that the campuses must be more than geographical extensions of the university; they must also uphold the same standards of excellence that CNU is known for.
He challenged the Argao campus community to ensure that it becomes “an extension in excellence,” rather than merely an extension in geography.
“We want to ensure that the standards of CNU remain uncompromised. Let us not allow lesser quality. Whatever you do here will affect CNU Main,” he added.
Argao Mayor Allan Sesaldo accepted the challenge, describing CNU’s presence in the municipality as a source of hope and opportunity for local students.
“Ang CNU naghatag og paglaum ug kahigayunan. Argao is not afraid to do everything for education. This is the result of our joint efforts and sacrifices,” Sesaldo said.
The mayor also announced plans to strengthen the municipality’s support for the campus, saying the local government intends to try to double its budget allocation for CNU next year and push for the construction of additional campus buildings.
Argao Vice Mayor Orvi Ortega, for his part, described the establishment of the campus as a “bittersweet endeavor,” recalling the two-year journey that preceded its inauguration.
“It took two years for this. There were challenges along the way, but today is a testament to what we have achieved,” Ortega said.
He expressed hope that Argao would continue to grow as an educational hub in Cebu, noting that the municipality is now home to two state universities.
“Padayon ta nga mahimong cradle of educational hub sa Cebu Province. Nagpatuo kita nga mahigugmaon kita sa edukasyon. Thank you, CNU, for your pursuit of excellence and for sharing it with Argao,” Ortega said.
Meanwhile, the inauguration also featured the oath-taking of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and Student Supreme Council officers, administered by Atty. Ortega.
With its doors now officially open, the CNU Argao Extension Campus stands as a product of two years of perseverance and partnership, and as a new avenue for students in Argao and nearby communities to pursue quality higher education closer to home.
The inauguration and induction ceremonies were attended by CNU administrative officials and faculty members, Argao municipal and barangay officials, parents, and students.
